Control device for liquid dispensing apparatus



July 11, 1933. R. J. GALLAGHER CONTROL DEVICE FOR LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 20, 1932 Gesoums Sup/ 4 r July 11, 1933. R. J. GALLAGHER CONTROL DEVICE FOR LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Jan.

20, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .INVENTOR Fill IL valve, a predetermimn PatentedJuly 11,

L uNlTsofsTAn-is P TEN OFFICE nom'r J. GALLAGHER, OI BUGm'IOI, NEW YORK CONTROL DEVICE FOR LIQUD DISPENSING- APPm'I'US Application fled January :0, use. sum no. lie-1,601.

This invention has to do with liquid disa paratus generally but in its preferred e ent it is an httachment for therethrough and also provided with suction I controlled means for automatlcally actuating said valve under certain conditions of use of said nozzle.

Another and important object lies in the provision of a predetermining device oper-.

ated by fluid flow remote from seid nozzle, which automatically actuates said suction controlled means on the nozzle, operate said I valve.

To explain fully the advantages of my invention I shall refer briefly to the operat on of well known meter-type gasoline dispensmg apparatus. As an example, to fill an order for 15 gallons, the meter pointer 1s turned to zero position, the nozzle valve manually held open and the liquid allowed to flow through the meter, hose and nozzle into the receptacle. Meanwhile the operator must watch both the pointer on the meter and the receptacle to avoid overrunning either, and, when the pro er amount has been dispensed, release e spring-closing nozzle valve thereby stopping the flow.

Tofill an order for a full receptacle, the operator must watch the liquid risein the receptacle, which frequently the size and type of fill opening does not permit, often resultmg in overflowing the tank.

With the foregoin in view, my mventlon provides a means for olding 0 en the nozzle valve, a means for automatica y closing said valve when a predetermined amount has been dispensed and also independent means 'for closing said valve automatically determined height has been reached by the liquid in the receptacle, or by eru tion of the liquid in the receptacledue to poc eted air.

The terminal or nozzle valve may be used conventionally if desired by means of a man'- ual release incorporated with the automatic control mechanism of said valve or by setting the predetermining device to nullify the automatic features. a

The object of my invention is to in automatic control safely of the terminal valve of a liquid dispensing apparatus, and at the same time permit the use of flexible hose for "conwhen a preveying liquid to remote receptacles. Consequentadvantages of the device are: reduction of fire hazard and waste due to spilla e, reduction of lossdue to inadvertent overspensing, and increased sales and good will due to the customers assurance maximum capacity filling without illage.

Referring now to the drawings SIP erence numera s indicate like parts:

i orming apart of th1s application and wherein like ref of receiving a Figure 1 is a general view in front 'eleva tion of an ordinary meter-type, electric driven gasoline dis vention applie thereto.

Figure 2 is a partly cross-sectional detail side view of a predetermining rotary and sliding valve forming partof my invention. Figure 3 is a detail sectional front view taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a combined fragmentary and ensing apparatus withmy inpartly sectional side view of my automatic control device applied to the terminal or nozzle valve. Figure 5 is a rear view taken on line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a front view of a manually operated meter knob and pointer for predetermined settings of the valve control means.

The meter-type electric-driven gasoline dispensing apparatus as shown in light line in Figure 1 is used for convenience of illustration, but the invention is not limited to this type as the invention can be applied to other types such as gravity, hydraulic or airpressure systems of dispensing.

The electric-driven apparatus above mentioned can briefly be described as comprising a liquid pump (A), a motor (B) for dllVlIl the same, a meter (C) for measuring an registering the amount of fluid flow, a flexible hose (D) for conveying liquid to the receptacle and a spring-closing nozzle valve (E) to control the flow.

In addition, I provide an air pump 1 of any requisite capacity, designed to create a suction or partial vacuum in pipe 2 connecting said pump and the inner barrel 3 of the predetermining air-valve, shown in Figure 2, by a swivel connection 5.

This predetermining air valve 1s a combined rotary and sliding valve mechanism comprised preferably of an inner barrel 3 and outer cylinder 4 nicely fitted, and carried 1n bearings in vertical members 0t bracket or box 13. Said cylinder and barrel are provided with uniform slots or openings 6 and 7 respectively through their side walls. Inner barrel 3 is adapted for rotation by suitable gearing 8, 10 actuated by a gear 9 on the pointer spindle of meter 0.

Outer cylinder 4 is adapted for manual rotary ad uStment by means of knob-andointer set 11 and is slidable longitudinally by the same means. Indentations 14 are provided in an annular groove around said cylinder 4 in any suitable number, preferablv corresponding in number to graduations on marker 12 Figure 6. A spring-pressed detent 15, mounted in the horizontal member of bracket 13 engages said indentations 14 when said outer cylinder 4 is in the predetermining position, which is the position shown in Fi re 2.

preferably flexible hollow tube 16 is connected in any suitable manner to and communicates with the pipe 2, and extends to and communicates through the opening 34 with the cylinder 17 on the nozzle N near the top of said cylinder. The rod 18 of piston 19, movable in the cylinder 17, is attached in any suitable manner to the manual valve opening means 21 for the spring-closing nozzle valve E.

A valve release control cylinder 22 may be placed in any suitable position, as adjacent to holding cylinder 17 and communicates with said cylinder 17 by means of open ings 24 and 35 in said cylinders communicating with a spacing chamber 23 between said cylinders. It will be clear, of course, that other means of communication between such cylinders may be employed, depending on the spacing of such cylinders apart. Holdingcylinder 17 has one opening 24 above the limit. of its piston travel, into said chamber 23, and release control cylinder 22 has two openings into said chamber 23, one opening 35, normally covered by piston 26 reciprocable in cylinder 22, and one opening 25 below the a button 28 for manual depression of said piston.

Communicating with an opening 20 in the release control cylinder 22, and immediately below the normal upper position of piston 26, is one end of a tube 29, which tube extends along or within the nozzle N and spout 30, terminating at some desired oint on the outer side of said spout, preferably adjacent its delivery end.

A flow diffusing screen 33 may be placed near the outlet opening of said spout 30.

It will be understood that if my invention is applied to dispensing apparatus which may be already equipped with an air pump or which has a suction line available, the pipe 2 can be tapped into said pump or line at any convenient point, eliminating the necessity for installing the pump 1.

The operation of the invention can be described by citing an example of filling an order for 15 gallons of gasoline and calling the units of measure graduated on meter (C) and marker 12, gallons: The knob-and-pointer set 11 is manually rotated to indicate fifteen on marker 12 thereby placing opening 6 in cylinder 4 in position three quarters of the distance around one com lete clockwise rotation of said cylinder. pring-pressed detent 15 fixes accurate location and maintains said location by engaging the indentation provided therefor. The motor (B) is started and liquid pump (A) pumps liquid around through its conventional by-pass (not shown) as the terminal valve E is as yet closed. The air, pump 1 draws air through opening 31 in holding-cylinder 17 via tube 16 and pipe 2, said opening allowing free inlet for air while piston 19 is in down or closed position and below said opening 31. The nozzle valve opening arm 21 is now manually raised, starting the flow of fluid through the nozzle into the receptacle or tank F and piston 19 is also simultaneously raised to the position in cylinder as shown by dotted lines in Figure 4, and held in this position by suction from the tube 16 and by atmospheric pressure on the bottom of said piston, which pressure gains entrance through the opening 31. Meanwhile a small volume of air is being drawn through the tube 29, by way of under piston 26, through opening 25, through chamber 23, through opening 24, through opening 34, through tube 16 and pipe 2 to pump 1. Said volume of air, however, is not suflicient to ofl'set the capacity of pump 1 and thereby equalize pressure on top of piston 19 owing to the restricted passa of o nin 25. The objectof this leak w' be re erre to and explained later. As the meter pointer-spindle and at-- tached gear 9 rotate by reason of flow, inner cien barrel 3 rotates by reason of gearing 8 and 10. As opening 7 arrives at the same relative position as the pre-set opening 6, a sumt y large air inlet is thereby made which overcomes the function of the air pum 1 as regards the suction through tube 16. T e air pressure thereby being equalized on top and bottom of piston 19, in c linder 17, the spring-closing nozzle valve E) closes, shuttin off the flow at the predetermined fifteen ga ons, the same being posted on meter.

To fill an order for a full receptacle, for example, knob-and-pointer set 11 would be pushed in lon itudinally, in which case opening 6 would out of the rotation path of opening 7 thereby voiding the predetermining feature for the time but keepin the pipe 2 air-tight. The pumps are starte the nozzle s'pout 30 and accompanying gauging-tube 29 are inserted into the receptacle so that gauging-tube terminus 32 is at the approximate hei ht of desired maximum filling. As the liqui rises, or erupts, in the receptacle it submerges the gaugmg-tube terminus 32,

through which, as previously .explained, a

draft of air has been passing constantly since the start of the operation. As the said draft of air is cut off by the rise or eruption of the liquid in the receptacle, release control cylin- I der 22 is immediately partly evacuated by air pump 1, by the route previously detailed, and atmospheric pressure is gained through the vented cylinder head 27, forcing piston 26 downward, thereby covering opening 20, uncoverin opening 35 and providing a suflicie'ntly large air inlet through vented cylinder head 27 opening 35, chamber 23 and opening 24 to offset the air pump means 1. The air pressure thus being equalized on the top and bottom of holding-piston 19, the springclosing nolzle valve (E) closes, stopping the flow, and the meter posting the amount dispensed.

, It will be clear from the foregoin also that the terminal or nozzle valve E w ile being held open by suction during operation of the device, can be instantly released at any time by manually depressing piston 26 by means of the conveniently located button 28 attached thereto.

If for any reason, dispensing is wished to be done conventionally, knob-and-pointer set 11 is pulled out longitudinally to the left t0 the limit of its travel in Figure 2 which leaves opening 7 uncovered, thereby overcoming the function of the air pump 1 and voiding the suction operation at the nozzle valve.

Of course, my invention is of wide application and is not limited to the particular details herein described and shown. I do not limit myself, therefore, to the exact form of construction and arrangement of parts shown, other than by the apgnded claims.

Having thus descn d my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a liquid-meter, means to force and convey liquid. to said meter, means to convey liquid from saidv meter, an air and meter controlled flow-control-valve connected with last mentioned means and air-pumping and air-pipe means for applying air suction to said valve controllin means.

.2. In combination, a liquid-meter, means to force and convey liquid to said meter, flexible pipe means to convey li uid from said meter, an air-controlled porta le liquid-controlvalve at terminal of last mentioned means, controlling means therefor, air-pumping and air-pipe means for applying reduced air pressure to said controlling means and an airvalve connected with said air-pipe means and actuated by said meter for controlling said valve controlling means.'

3. In combination, a liquid-meter, means to force and convey liquid to said meter, flexible hose means to convey liquid from said meter, air-controlled portable liquid-controL valve at terminal of last mentioned means, controlling means therefor, air-pumping and air-pipe means for applying. reduced air pressure to said controllin means, and a meter-actuated rotary air-va ve manually adjustable both predeterminably and non-functionally connected with said air-pipe means for controlling said Valve controlling means.

4. An attachment for liquid dispensing apparatus, consisting of a sprin -closingliquid valve provided with an air evice for actuating and selectively controlling said spring closing means, and combined airpumping and -air-tubing means for applying reduced air pressure to said air device.

5. An attachment for liquid dispensing apparatus, consisting of a spring-closing liquid-valve provided with a spout and flowdifiusing screen in said spout, an air operated mechanism for actuating said liquid-valve and incorporated therewith, an air operated releasing mechanism for automatically controlling said actuating mechanism, and combined air-pumping and air-pipe means for applying reduced air pressure to said actuating and releasing mechanisms.

6. An attachment for liquid dispensing apparatus, consisting of a spring-closing liquid-valve, a combined vmanually and airactuated opening mechanism for said liquidvalve incorporated therewith, an air operated releasing-mechanism for automatically controlling'said opening mechanism, an air 7. A fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a nozzle for hose connection with a fluid supply, a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through said nozzle, said valve being normally urged to closed position, means for manually opening said valve, means for bolding said valve open, and means adjacent the discharge end of said nozzle for releasing said holding means and rmitting said valve to close independently oi aid opening means, said releasing means including an air inlet in communication with a source of reduced air pressure independent of the fluid flow-through said nozzle. s

8. A fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a fluid pump, a measuring device actuated by the fluid flow from said pump, a discharge control valve, means for opening said valve, air actuated means for causing said valve to close, an air suction line operatively connected with said last named means, means driven by said measuring device and connected wlth said air line for actuatin said valve closing means, and means for a usting said driven means whereb the closing of said valve is selectively pre etermined.

9. A fluid dispensing apparatus comprising a fluid pump, a measuring device actuated by the fluid flow from said pump, a discharge 'control valve, means for opening said valve,

ROBERT J. GALLAGHER. 

